Van Hollen, Merkley, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Protect Aid Workers in Conflict Zones
WASHINGTON – Today, on Human Rights Day, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) introduced legislation to protect humanitarian aid workers operating in conflict zones. The lawmakers’ legislation, the Commitment to Aid Workers Act, would strengthen U.S. efforts to safeguard those who risk their
Senate Republicans Block Merkley’s Bill to Prevent War with Venezuela
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after Senate Republicans blocked consideration of his Prohibiting Unauthorized Military Action in Venezuela Act of 2025, which would block federal funds from being used for military actions in Venezuela: “As the Constitution so clearly says, Congress has the power
Senators Blunt Rochester, Merkley, Warnock Introduce Bill to Repair Infrastructure, Bridge Communities
Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) today introduced the Restoring Essential Public Access and Improving Resilient (REPAIR) Infrastructure Program Act. The bill would reauthorize and expand the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Reconnecting Communities Program as the REPAIR Infrastructure Program,
Merkley Announces $9 Million in Federal Grants for Homeless Veterans in Oregon
WASHINGTON, DC — Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today announced that communities in Oregon will receive $9 million in new funding to help homeless veterans and their families find housing and other services to get them back on their feet. This funding comes from the Supportive Services for Veterans Families (SSVF)
Merkley, Wyden, Feinstein and Boxer Call on DOT to Provide More Hazmat Train Information to First Responders
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators, Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, were joined today by California’s U.S. Senators, Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, in pressing the Department of Transportation to require that first responders be notified before trains carrying 20 or more carloads of crude oil, ethanol or other flammable
Merkley Statement on Continuing Resolution and ISIS
“Today, I voted for the continuing resolution to keep the government open and keep American workers on the job. This legislation will avert another disastrous shutdown and ensure that critical programs Oregonians rely on, from wildfire prevention to Head Start, continue uninterrupted. While it’s good news that we have avoided
Merkley Slams Filibuster that Blocks Equal Pay Legislation
Today Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after a Senate minority used a filibuster to once again block a vote on the Paycheck Fairness Act, legislation that would help ensure equal pay for equal work for all Americans: “Paying women the same as men is a matter of
Merkley Calls on GOP to Stop Blocking Minimum Wage Vote & Start Standing Up for Middle Class
WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley joined colleagues in calling on Senate Republicans to stop stalling progress on a range of issues that would give America’s middle-class families a fair shot, particularly the Fair Minimum Wage Act, which would raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10 and provide automatic
Merkley Pushes for Amendment to Undo Citizens United, Restore Democracy in America
WASHINGTON – Today Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley urged swift passage of a Constitutional amendment that would reverse the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, a ruling that opened the floodgates to unlimited secret spending by corporations to influence elections. The proposed amendment – introduced by Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) – would